&nbsp; By Chabella Guzman,&nbsp; UNL PREEC communications

Agriculturists, from growers to livestock producers, rely heavily on the soil and its health to make their operations thrive. In a collaborative effort, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is supporting Nebraska Extension, specifically Bijesh Maharjan, soil nutrient and management specialist’s Soil Health Gap project and Soil Health School outreach.

“We are creating an interactive map for the state (Nebraska), where any grower can put in coordinates of cropland, and the map will show them where they belong in terms of agroecological zone,” Maharjan said. The map will be based on benchmarks Maharjan and his team created by gathering data from native lands with no cultivation. So, producers will be able to compare their land with native land. In managed land, the sod has been cultivated, losing topsoil and carbon over time, resulting in a lower health score than undisturbed land.&nbsp;

“In obtaining baselines, the idea is to know where the ceiling is and how far can we go,” he said. “And looking at native land and other variables like climate and time.” In Scotts Bluff County, they found native land with four percent organic matter, which is a staggering amount, as most decent cropland has two percent organic matter.

Native land has a natural equilibrium. By giving farmers benchmark data, they can determine the gap in soil health in their lands compared to native land and plan practices to manage and reduce that soil health gap. The project aims to cover two extensive land mass areas, one each in the state's east and west, with support from NRCS. Maharjan and his group use the NRCS land classification system, Major Land Resource Area (MLRA), to identify the native land and get data for the map. Over time, the entire state will have reference data a grower can use.

Another aspect of the program has been the Nebraska Soil Health School. “We have organically stepped into the outreach portion of soil health activities with growers, feedlots, and other agriculture outfits,” Maharjan said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Soil Health School will hit western Nebraska this year with classes addressing healthy soils from different angles, like dryland, irrigated, rangeland, integration, and economics. This year, classes will be held in Crawford, Sidney, and North Platte.

In February, USDA NRCS and the University of Nebraska had a joint meeting to foster and expand collaboration, and out of many collaborators working on projects, NRCS invited Maharjan to present on his Soil Health efforts.&nbsp;

Assisting Maharjan with the Soil Health Gap project is Saurav Das, research assistant professor in soil health &amp; biogeochemistry, and with the Soil Health School Nicole Heldt, research project coordinator.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709083235790.jpeg" alt="Cutline - Bijesh Maharjan, right, Nebraska Extension soil nutrient and management specialist, speaks to an attendee at the second Soil Health School at the West Central Research Extension and Education Center in North Platte. Photo by Nicole Heldt" />
 <figcaption>Cutline - Bijesh Maharjan, right, Nebraska Extension soil nutrient and management specialist, speaks to an attendee at the second Soil Health School at the West Central Research Extension and Education Center in North Platte. Photo by Nicole Heldt</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; By Chabella Guzman,&nbsp; UNL PREEC communicationsAgriculturists, from growers to livestock producers, rely heavily on the soil and its health to make their operations thrive. In a collaborative effort, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is supporting Nebraska Extension, specifically Bijesh Maharjan, soil nutrient and management specialist’s Soil Health Gap project and Soil Health School outreach.“We are creating an interactive map for the state (Nebraska), where any grower can put in coordinates of cropland, and the map will show them where they belong in terms of agroecological zone,” Maharjan said. The map will be based on benchmarks Maharjan and his team created by gathering data from native lands with no cultivation. So, producers will be able to compare their land with native land. In managed land, the sod has been cultivated, losing topsoil and carbon over time, resulting in a lower health score than undisturbed land.&nbsp;“In obtaining baselines, the idea is to know where the ceiling is and how far can we go,” he said. “And looking at native land and other variables like climate and time.” In Scotts Bluff County, they found native land with four percent organic matter, which is a staggering amount, as most decent cropland has two percent organic matter.Native land has a natural equilibrium. By giving farmers benchmark data, they can determine the gap in soil health in their lands compared to native land and plan practices to manage and reduce that soil health gap. The project aims to cover two extensive land mass areas, one each in the state's east and west, with support from NRCS. Maharjan and his group use the NRCS land classification system, Major Land Resource Area (MLRA), to identify the native land and get data for the map. Over time, the entire state will have reference data a grower can use.Another aspect of the program has been the Nebraska Soil Health School. “We have organically stepped into the outreach portion of soil health activities with growers, feedlots, and other agriculture outfits,” Maharjan said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Soil Health School will hit western Nebraska this year with classes addressing healthy soils from different angles, like dryland, irrigated, rangeland, integration, and economics. This year, classes will be held in Crawford, Sidney, and North Platte.In February, USDA NRCS and the University of Nebraska had a joint meeting to foster and expand collaboration, and out of many collaborators working on projects, NRCS invited Maharjan to present on his Soil Health efforts.&nbsp;Assisting Maharjan with the Soil Health Gap project is Saurav Das, research assistant professor in soil health &amp; biogeochemistry, and with the Soil Health School Nicole Heldt, research project coordinator.&nbsp;

Soil Health Gap project setting up baselines and schools for ag producers

Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska. It’s the backbone of our state’s economy. It’s also essential to our national security. Any threat to our farmers and ranchers is a threat to us all. That’s why it’s unacceptable President Biden has presided over the fastest, biggest decline in farm profitability, ever. The American Farm Bureau Federation recently found&nbsp;farmers’ net income is estimated to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.fb.org%2fnews-release%2frecord-drop-in-farm-income-expected-in-2024%23%3a%7e%3atext%3dFarmers%2520can%2520expect%2520the%2520largest%2cdata%2520in%2520a%2520Market%2520Intel&amp;redir_log=188420669433999" target="_blank">drop</a>&nbsp;25% in 2024. This would be&nbsp;the largest year-to-year dollar drop in recorded history. It should be a wake up call to Washington. Biden’s inflation-driving policies, overregulation, and war on American energy cannot continue.

Rising expenses, declining receipts, and declining exports under Biden mean declining incomes. Stubbornly high inflation caused by Washington’s overspending is driving up costs of production. Total farm expenses are expected to rise another 3.8% to a new record high this year, according to the USDA. Necessary expenses like&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.agriculture.senate.gov%2fnewsroom%2fminority-blog%2fusda-says-high-farm-production-costs-not-easing-in-2024&amp;redir_log=155632720315779" target="_blank">feed, labor, machinery, and equipment</a>&nbsp;all cost more. Gas and energy cost more. Meanwhile, cash receipts for crops and livestock are expected to decline by 4%. On top of that, we have a record trade deficit for agriculture exports. The International Trade Association reports Nebraska exports of agriculture goods and livestock&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fnebraskaexaminer.com%2fbriefs%2fregional-survey-of-rural-main-street-economy-led-by-omaha-university-paints-overall-negative-picture-for-sixth-straight-month%2f&amp;redir_log=734016281721143" target="_blank">dropped</a>&nbsp;35.5% in 2023.

Instead of offering relief, Biden and his army of bureaucrats continue to harass agriculture at every turn. Federal regulatory whiplash is also driving up costs.&nbsp;I’ve questioned some of these bureaucrats at the Committee on Environment and Public Works. They often have no idea what impact their regulations will have.&nbsp;For example, the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule wants to regulate roadside ditches and farm ponds as navigable waters.

To make things worse, the Biden administration has declared war on American energy. The onerous “Good Neighbor Rule” attacks our domestic natural gas industry and raises energy prices. Their detached-from-reality electric vehicle (EV) mandates restrict consumer choice. Instead of turning to biofuels made here in America, EVs make us more reliant on foreign adversaries like China. It is also yet another mandate that fails to account for the practical&nbsp;needs of our agriculture or rural communities. Imagine a world where you would need to pull over for two hours on a 90-degree day to charge an electric truck&nbsp;hauling livestock.&nbsp;

Just like when I was Governor,&nbsp;I’m fighting to block these illegal actions and provide relief&nbsp;as your U.S. Senator. I voted to block the WOTUS rule and co-sponsor legislation to protect producers from future overreach. I’m leading the charge against the EV mandate and will author legislation to block it if it’s not reversed. I’m pushing for year-round E-15 nationwide. I’m supporting&nbsp;legislation to repeal Biden’s expanded Death Tax, which punishes multi-generational farms, ranches, and businesses. I’m&nbsp;also&nbsp;using my experience as Governor to&nbsp;reform the&nbsp;permitting process&nbsp;and unleash American energy.

Additionally, I’m working with our federal delegation to include a strong safety net in the next comprehensive farm bill. The current risk management tools were not designed to mitigate the type of volatility Bidenomics has caused. I support&nbsp;a&nbsp;strong crop insurance program, Livestock Risk Protection, and Dairy Margin coverage programs. I’ve also co-sponsored legislation to double the funding for programs that develop new trade markets for our farmers and ranchers.

Ensuring the strength of our agriculture sector is critical for our state&nbsp;and our nation. When our farmers and ranchers struggle, our rural communities struggle. It’s not just those who work the land who suffer. The ripple effects of farm income decline are felt throughout the state.&nbsp;A struggling agriculture sector is also a threat to our national security. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we must be able to provide for ourselves at home. Nothing is more important than the ability to feed and fuel our nation. I will always fight to protect our farmers and ranchers.

My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ricketts.senate.gov%2fcontact%2f&amp;redir_log=040906045533275" target="_blank">www.ricketts.</a>

By Senator Pete RickettsAgriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska. It’s the backbone of our state’s economy. It’s also essential to our national security. Any threat to our farmers and ranchers is a threat to us all. That’s why it’s unacceptable President Biden has presided over the fastest, biggest decline in farm profitability, ever. The American Farm Bureau Federation recently found&nbsp;farmers’ net income is estimated to&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.fb.org%2fnews-release%2frecord-drop-in-farm-income-expected-in-2024%23%3a%7e%3atext%3dFarmers%2520can%2520expect%2520the%2520largest%2cdata%2520in%2520a%2520Market%2520Intel&amp;redir_log=188420669433999" target="_blank">drop</a>&nbsp;25% in 2024. This would be&nbsp;the largest year-to-year dollar drop in recorded history. It should be a wake up call to Washington. Biden’s inflation-driving policies, overregulation, and war on American energy cannot continue.Rising expenses, declining receipts, and declining exports under Biden mean declining incomes. Stubbornly high inflation caused by Washington’s overspending is driving up costs of production. Total farm expenses are expected to rise another 3.8% to a new record high this year, according to the USDA. Necessary expenses like&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.agriculture.senate.gov%2fnewsroom%2fminority-blog%2fusda-says-high-farm-production-costs-not-easing-in-2024&amp;redir_log=155632720315779" target="_blank">feed, labor, machinery, and equipment</a>&nbsp;all cost more. Gas and energy cost more. Meanwhile, cash receipts for crops and livestock are expected to decline by 4%. On top of that, we have a record trade deficit for agriculture exports. The International Trade Association reports Nebraska exports of agriculture goods and livestock&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fnebraskaexaminer.com%2fbriefs%2fregional-survey-of-rural-main-street-economy-led-by-omaha-university-paints-overall-negative-picture-for-sixth-straight-month%2f&amp;redir_log=734016281721143" target="_blank">dropped</a>&nbsp;35.5% in 2023.Instead of offering relief, Biden and his army of bureaucrats continue to harass agriculture at every turn. Federal regulatory whiplash is also driving up costs.&nbsp;I’ve questioned some of these bureaucrats at the Committee on Environment and Public Works. They often have no idea what impact their regulations will have.&nbsp;For example, the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule wants to regulate roadside ditches and farm ponds as navigable waters.To make things worse, the Biden administration has declared war on American energy. The onerous “Good Neighbor Rule” attacks our domestic natural gas industry and raises energy prices. Their detached-from-reality electric vehicle (EV) mandates restrict consumer choice. Instead of turning to biofuels made here in America, EVs make us more reliant on foreign adversaries like China. It is also yet another mandate that fails to account for the practical&nbsp;needs of our agriculture or rural communities. Imagine a world where you would need to pull over for two hours on a 90-degree day to charge an electric truck&nbsp;hauling livestock.&nbsp;Just like when I was Governor,&nbsp;I’m fighting to block these illegal actions and provide relief&nbsp;as your U.S. Senator. I voted to block the WOTUS rule and co-sponsor legislation to protect producers from future overreach. I’m leading the charge against the EV mandate and will author legislation to block it if it’s not reversed. I’m pushing for year-round E-15 nationwide. I’m supporting&nbsp;legislation to repeal Biden’s expanded Death Tax, which punishes multi-generational farms, ranches, and businesses. I’m&nbsp;also&nbsp;using my experience as Governor to&nbsp;reform the&nbsp;permitting process&nbsp;and unleash American energy.Additionally, I’m working with our federal delegation to include a strong safety net in the next comprehensive farm bill. The current risk management tools were not designed to mitigate the type of volatility Bidenomics has caused. I support&nbsp;a&nbsp;strong crop insurance program, Livestock Risk Protection, and Dairy Margin coverage programs. I’ve also co-sponsored legislation to double the funding for programs that develop new trade markets for our farmers and ranchers.Ensuring the strength of our agriculture sector is critical for our state&nbsp;and our nation. When our farmers and ranchers struggle, our rural communities struggle. It’s not just those who work the land who suffer. The ripple effects of farm income decline are felt throughout the state.&nbsp;A struggling agriculture sector is also a threat to our national security. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we must be able to provide for ourselves at home. Nothing is more important than the ability to feed and fuel our nation. I will always fight to protect our farmers and ranchers.My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=quorum_ricketts-iq&amp;crop=14236.7855372.5095610.7151097&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ricketts.senate.gov%2fcontact%2f&amp;redir_log=040906045533275" target="_blank">www.ricketts.</a>

Ricketts: Bidenomics is threatning Agriculture in Nebraska

The Western Society of Weed Science will host a free symposium on Palmer amaranth on Thursday, March 7, at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Colo. The symposium will be held during the society’s annual meeting.&nbsp;

Parts of Colorado and Western Nebraska have struggled with herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth for several years, with significant impacts on minor and specialty crop industries. In 2023, Palmer amaranth was identified for the first time in the Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest. The symposium will bring together academics, industry leaders, and impacted stakeholders to discuss Palmer's current and anticipated impacts across the region.&nbsp;

The symposium is free to the public as a service of the WSWS. It will also be streamed live at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl.zoom.us/j/94462430766" target="_blank">https://unl.zoom.us/j/94462430766</a>.&nbsp;

For those wishing to attend other functions offered by the WSWS during their annual meeting March 4-7, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting-2024" target="_blank">https://wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting-2024</a>.

The symposium agenda is as follows:&nbsp;

The symposium has been organized by Nevin Lawrence – University of Nebraska –&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nlawrence2@unl.edu">nlawrence2@unl.edu</a>, Albert Adjesiwor - University of Idaho -&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu">aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu</a>, and

Andrew Kniss – University of Wyoming –&nbsp;<a href="mailto:akniss@uwyo.edu">akniss@uwyo.edu</a>.&nbsp;

UNL PREEC ReleaseThe Western Society of Weed Science will host a free symposium on Palmer amaranth on Thursday, March 7, at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Colo. The symposium will be held during the society’s annual meeting.&nbsp;Parts of Colorado and Western Nebraska have struggled with herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth for several years, with significant impacts on minor and specialty crop industries. In 2023, Palmer amaranth was identified for the first time in the Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest. The symposium will bring together academics, industry leaders, and impacted stakeholders to discuss Palmer's current and anticipated impacts across the region.&nbsp;The symposium is free to the public as a service of the WSWS. It will also be streamed live at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl.zoom.us/j/94462430766" target="_blank">https://unl.zoom.us/j/94462430766</a>.&nbsp;For those wishing to attend other functions offered by the WSWS during their annual meeting March 4-7, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting-2024" target="_blank">https://wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting-2024</a>.The symposium agenda is as follows:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>9:30 a.m. - Origin stories: hypotheses for the rise of Palmer amaranth, Kelsey Brock, Assistant Professor University of Wyoming&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>10 a.m. - Impacts of Palmer amaranth to the dry bean industry, Jerry Haynes, Agronomist at Jack’s Bean Company&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>10:20 a.m. - Impacts of Palmer amaranth to the sugar beet industry, Rebecca Larson, vice President, Chief Scientist, and Governmental Affairs for Western Sugar Cooperative&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>10:40 a.m. - Impacts of Palmer amaranth to the seed industry, Laura Pottorff, Director of Seed Programs – Colorado State University</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>11 a.m. - State of Palmer amaranth resistance in the west, Todd Gaines, Associate Professor Colorado State University</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>11:30 a.m. - Management of Palmer amaranth in the West., Nevin Lawrence, Associate Professor University of Nebraska</li>
 </ul>The symposium has been organized by Nevin Lawrence – University of Nebraska –&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nlawrence2@unl.edu">nlawrence2@unl.edu</a>, Albert Adjesiwor - University of Idaho -&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu">aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu</a>, andAndrew Kniss – University of Wyoming –&nbsp;<a href="mailto:akniss@uwyo.edu">akniss@uwyo.edu</a>.&nbsp;

‘Palmer amaranth in the West’ symposium scheduled in March 

By Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

As of 4:00 pm CST on February 27th, the Betty’s Way Fire in Lincoln and Custer Counties is 71,022 acres. Fire managers are continuously assessing the work performed and updating the containment. Containment on the fire is estimated to be 72%. One primary residence was destroyed, one primary residence was damaged, and numerous outbuildings have been destroyed. Currently, there are no evacuation orders in place. 

We are working with ranchers, farmers and residents to address any unmet needs. Fire managers are actively working with the American Red Cross and various state agencies to aid those affected by the Betty’s Way Fire. If you were impacted by the fire, please contact:

• United States Department of Agriculture- 308-534-2360

• Natural Resources Conservation Services- 308-535-8080

Donations can be directed to the local Salvation Army.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Agency has determined the fire was human caused, resulting from mowing operations.

For questions or information please contact Betty’s Way Incident Command Post and Region 51 Emergency 

Management at 308-520-7230 or myersbw@northplattene.gov.

By Nebraska Emergency Management AgencyAs of 4:00 pm CST on February 27th, the Betty’s Way Fire in Lincoln and Custer Counties is 71,022 acres. Fire managers are continuously assessing the work performed and updating the containment. Containment on the fire is estimated to be 72%. One primary residence was destroyed, one primary residence was damaged, and numerous outbuildings have been destroyed. Currently, there are no evacuation orders in place. We are working with ranchers, farmers and residents to address any unmet needs. Fire managers are actively working with the American Red Cross and various state agencies to aid those affected by the Betty’s Way Fire. If you were impacted by the fire, please contact:• United States Department of Agriculture- 308-534-2360• Natural Resources Conservation Services- 308-535-8080• Salvation Army- 308-532-2038• American Red Cross- 1-833-583-3111Donations can be directed to the local Salvation Army.The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Agency has determined the fire was human caused, resulting from mowing operations.For questions or information please contact Betty’s Way Incident Command Post and Region 51 Emergency Management at 308-520-7230 or myersbw@northplattene.gov.

72 % of wildfires contained near North Platte, response continues

Alliance Creative District was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.

In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.

"We're eligible for up to $250,000 in grant funding which would go to arts experiences, permanent art in our community and even different improvements for the city of Alliance," Amity Palmer of the Carnegie Arts Center told KCOW earlier this month.

The process for applying as a Nebraska Creative District is a serious and involved process. The community must submit a letter of interest, then fill out a 43-page Eligibility Assessment requiring contributions from numerous community members and leaders. Finally, a Strategic Plan is developed as part of the approval process. The purpose of establishing a Creative District is to strengthen communities through the arts. The goal is that these districts will continue to plan improvement projects for years to come, building off past successes and growing opportunities.

The process of establishing a Creative District for the City of Alliance began through open community forums and surveys. The Creative District, composed of volunteers, held four community forums, and dispersed public surveys shared through email, print, and social media. During the initial Strategic Planning session, the top results of the SWOT analysis were finalized. Participants provided their answers, which were then compared to the results obtained from public forums and survey responses. All feedback was given careful consideration in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the Alliance Creative District.

During the Strategic Planning session, several key strengths of the Alliance Creative District resonated with the members. These included the unique attraction of Carhenge, a strong affection for Alliance's Historic Downtown, and a recognized ability to collaborate within the community. Additionally, the top opportunities identified were the potential for adding more murals, leveraging existing festivals, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of community spaces. One prominent weakness that was repeatedly mentioned was the lack of curb appeal in certain areas. This concern highlighted the need to address and improve the visual attractiveness of these areas. The group also identified several threats, including the outmigration of youth and retirees, a shortage of volunteers, and the challenge of creating a compelling draw to bring people back to town from attractions like Carhenge.

&nbsp;The Strategic Planning Sessions, facilitated by grant writer Al Vacanti, played a crucial role in the development of the Alliance Creative District. During the first session, the SWOT analysis was conducted, and goals were established. However, after considering budget constraints, feedback from the NAC, and concerns raised by the review panelists, the Strategic Plan was revisited on November 27th. This resulted in further refinements to the plan, including the addition of marketing goals, actionable steps, and adjustments to goal priorities. The team was very mindful to conservatively plan based on the team of volunteer’s availability and the need for additional funding sources.

To ensure efficiency and accessibility, the committee decided to integrate the marketing efforts of the Alliance Creative District with the current city tourism marketing approach. Instead of creating a separate website, the focus will be on developing a Creative District webpage and linking it to the existing city website. This will make resources related to the district more easily searchable and promotions for the creative district will be streamlined within the city's overall marketing strategies.&nbsp;

To address a major weakness of the lack of curb appeal in our town, hosting a mural festival took priority as a way to combat this issue. The committee recognized that hosting a mural festival downtown is a significant undertaking, requiring substantial preparation time and financial resources. As a result, the goal of hosting the festival has been moved into the five-year goal timeline. While still part of the long-range plan, the committee acknowledges the need for adequate time and resources to thoroughly strategize and execute such an event.

Recognizing the need for goals that could be achieved within a shorter timeframe and with a smaller budget, the committee identified hosting a mural festival at Carhenge as a viable 2nd objective. This would serve to draw in tourism to the area, which was both a weakness and an opportunity. It would also take advantage of our strength, which is a unique setting with potential for artistic expression, the committee felt that organizing a mural festival at Carhenge would be feasible and manageable within the allocated resources.

Both mural events would end with an arts and music festival at the end of the week to draw attention and attendance to the Creative District. The successful local event "Bands on the Bricks," already contracts regional and national bands and includes food and drink vendors. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the committee aims to leverage the existing popularity and attendance of Bands on the Bricks and build it into a larger festival.&nbsp;

The planning process for the Creative District has been no small undertaking. We appreciate all the time, energy, and expertise that our volunteer committee members have put into the application and planning process. This is an incredible opportunity for our community, and it would not have been possible without their efforts. The work to put these plans into action will require a great stretch of time beyond our busy members’ current commitments, and we appreciate their dedication to improving our community. We want to remind community members that their input and help is very welcome as we work towards putting our plans into action. If you are interested in contributing, please contact the Carnegie Arts Center at 308-762-4571.

&nbsp;For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/" target="_blank">www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/</a>&nbsp;or call the office at 402-595-2122.

By Carnegie Arts CenterAlliance Creative District was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors."We're eligible for up to $250,000 in grant funding which would go to arts experiences, permanent art in our community and even different improvements for the city of Alliance," Amity Palmer of the Carnegie Arts Center told KCOW earlier this month.The process for applying as a Nebraska Creative District is a serious and involved process. The community must submit a letter of interest, then fill out a 43-page Eligibility Assessment requiring contributions from numerous community members and leaders. Finally, a Strategic Plan is developed as part of the approval process. The purpose of establishing a Creative District is to strengthen communities through the arts. The goal is that these districts will continue to plan improvement projects for years to come, building off past successes and growing opportunities.The process of establishing a Creative District for the City of Alliance began through open community forums and surveys. The Creative District, composed of volunteers, held four community forums, and dispersed public surveys shared through email, print, and social media. During the initial Strategic Planning session, the top results of the SWOT analysis were finalized. Participants provided their answers, which were then compared to the results obtained from public forums and survey responses. All feedback was given careful consideration in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the Alliance Creative District.During the Strategic Planning session, several key strengths of the Alliance Creative District resonated with the members. These included the unique attraction of Carhenge, a strong affection for Alliance's Historic Downtown, and a recognized ability to collaborate within the community. Additionally, the top opportunities identified were the potential for adding more murals, leveraging existing festivals, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of community spaces. One prominent weakness that was repeatedly mentioned was the lack of curb appeal in certain areas. This concern highlighted the need to address and improve the visual attractiveness of these areas. The group also identified several threats, including the outmigration of youth and retirees, a shortage of volunteers, and the challenge of creating a compelling draw to bring people back to town from attractions like Carhenge.&nbsp;The Strategic Planning Sessions, facilitated by grant writer Al Vacanti, played a crucial role in the development of the Alliance Creative District. During the first session, the SWOT analysis was conducted, and goals were established. However, after considering budget constraints, feedback from the NAC, and concerns raised by the review panelists, the Strategic Plan was revisited on November 27th. This resulted in further refinements to the plan, including the addition of marketing goals, actionable steps, and adjustments to goal priorities. The team was very mindful to conservatively plan based on the team of volunteer’s availability and the need for additional funding sources.To ensure efficiency and accessibility, the committee decided to integrate the marketing efforts of the Alliance Creative District with the current city tourism marketing approach. Instead of creating a separate website, the focus will be on developing a Creative District webpage and linking it to the existing city website. This will make resources related to the district more easily searchable and promotions for the creative district will be streamlined within the city's overall marketing strategies.&nbsp;To address a major weakness of the lack of curb appeal in our town, hosting a mural festival took priority as a way to combat this issue. The committee recognized that hosting a mural festival downtown is a significant undertaking, requiring substantial preparation time and financial resources. As a result, the goal of hosting the festival has been moved into the five-year goal timeline. While still part of the long-range plan, the committee acknowledges the need for adequate time and resources to thoroughly strategize and execute such an event.Recognizing the need for goals that could be achieved within a shorter timeframe and with a smaller budget, the committee identified hosting a mural festival at Carhenge as a viable 2nd objective. This would serve to draw in tourism to the area, which was both a weakness and an opportunity. It would also take advantage of our strength, which is a unique setting with potential for artistic expression, the committee felt that organizing a mural festival at Carhenge would be feasible and manageable within the allocated resources.Both mural events would end with an arts and music festival at the end of the week to draw attention and attendance to the Creative District. The successful local event "Bands on the Bricks," already contracts regional and national bands and includes food and drink vendors. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the committee aims to leverage the existing popularity and attendance of Bands on the Bricks and build it into a larger festival.&nbsp;The planning process for the Creative District has been no small undertaking. We appreciate all the time, energy, and expertise that our volunteer committee members have put into the application and planning process. This is an incredible opportunity for our community, and it would not have been possible without their efforts. The work to put these plans into action will require a great stretch of time beyond our busy members’ current commitments, and we appreciate their dedication to improving our community. We want to remind community members that their input and help is very welcome as we work towards putting our plans into action. If you are interested in contributing, please contact the Carnegie Arts Center at 308-762-4571.&nbsp;For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/" target="_blank">www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/</a>&nbsp;or call the office at 402-595-2122.

Alliance Creative District officially earns certification as Nebraska Creative District

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Justin A Guerra, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault - threaten/menacing manner, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Zane Picket Pin, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500

-Harley Salway, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/threat/bodily injury, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Naomi R Mabin, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 2 Misdemeanor, No proof of insurance, Class 3 Misdemeanor, No valid registration car/pickup/stepvan

-Christopher R Pyke, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drug

-Savanna S Camacho, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drug

-Mary Sanmiguel,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting Arrest

-James Jiiminez,&nbsp;Obstructing, Disorderly Conduct,&nbsp;Disturbing the peace, littering

-Marcus Quevedo,&nbsp;DUI, Poss of marijuana, Traffic

-Alison Richards,&nbsp;Poss. Meth 1000' of school, Parapher.&nbsp;Poss w/intent to dist., tamper w/evidence

-Pamela Rodriguez,&nbsp;Poss Cont Sub, Poss drug para

-Andrea Janis,&nbsp;Shoplifting, Disturbing the peace,&nbsp;trespassing

-Abigail Moreno,&nbsp;1st degree assault domestic, Leaving&nbsp;the scene, Failure to render aid,&nbsp;willful reckless, child abuse

-Christopher Torres Jr,&nbsp;Trespassing 2nd degree

-Osman Izaguirre-Zep,&nbsp;*Fugitive from Justive*

-Miguel Edgardo-Erija,&nbsp;1st degree trespass, Criminal Mischief

-Danelle Sullivan,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Trespassing

-Monique Malone,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2, Poss Marijuana &lt;1oz

-Alexander Mousseaux,&nbsp;(F) poss of a firearm, Theft, Poss cont&nbsp;sub, Child abuse, Poss drug para

-Dylan Jacobs,&nbsp;Terroristic Threats, False Reporting,

-Krista Hernandez,&nbsp;Drug Under Suspension

-Miguel Edgardo,&nbsp;1st Degree Criminal Trespass, Criminal mischief

-Nathaniel Hernandez,&nbsp;Fugitive from justice

-Angelina Palomo,&nbsp;Disturbing the peace, Assault 3rd degree

-Kim Ervick,&nbsp;DUI, Obstructing, Resisting arrest, DUS

-Madison Nowlin-Lee,&nbsp;Burglary, Theft a motor vehicle, Theft&nbsp;by receiving, Obstructing, Resisting&nbsp;arrest, Poss drug para

-Steven Montgomery,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting arrest,&nbsp;Obstructing, Child abuse

-Eric Schott,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Obstructing, Poss of&nbsp;marijuana, DUS, Traffic X2

-Kobe Moreno,&nbsp;Theft, Burlgary, Obstructing, Theft by&nbsp;receiving, Poss drug para

-Robert Oakley William,&nbsp;(F) poss of a firearm, Disturbing the peace

-Dustin R Shields, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance

-Michael Little Moon, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury

-Kimberly Martin, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-services $0-500

-Mona Little Moon, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound, No proof of insurance, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500

-Tre'c Martin, Class 4 Felony, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500/3rd/subs, Theft-shoplifting $0-500/3rd/subs

-Dewey McMann, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500

-Casey Henderson, Class 3A Felony, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/Sub

-Brenton Daniel, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before reinstated by state, Operate or park unregistered vehicle

-Derek E Howard, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance

-Tamara D Perkins, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.Box Butte Co:&nbsp;-Justin A Guerra, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault - threaten/menacing manner, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Zane Picket Pin, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500-Marco Dubray, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI-Harley Salway, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/threat/bodily injury, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Naomi R Mabin, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 2 Misdemeanor, No proof of insurance, Class 3 Misdemeanor, No valid registration car/pickup/stepvan-Christopher R Pyke, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drug-Savanna S Camacho, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drugScotts Bluff Co:&nbsp;-Mary Sanmiguel,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting Arrest-James Jiiminez,&nbsp;Obstructing, Disorderly Conduct,&nbsp;Disturbing the peace, littering-Marcus Quevedo,&nbsp;DUI, Poss of marijuana, Traffic-Joshua Smallman,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Alison Richards,&nbsp;Poss. Meth 1000' of school, Parapher.&nbsp;Poss w/intent to dist., tamper w/evidence-Pamela Rodriguez,&nbsp;Poss Cont Sub, Poss drug para-Andrea Janis,&nbsp;Shoplifting, Disturbing the peace,&nbsp;trespassing-Jessenia Domingo, Assault 1st degree-Abigail Moreno,&nbsp;1st degree assault domestic, Leaving&nbsp;the scene, Failure to render aid,&nbsp;willful reckless, child abuse-Christopher Torres Jr,&nbsp;Trespassing 2nd degree-Osman Izaguirre-Zep,&nbsp;*Fugitive from Justive*-Miguel Edgardo-Erija,&nbsp;1st degree trespass, Criminal Mischief-Danelle Sullivan,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Trespassing-Monique Malone,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2, Poss Marijuana &lt;1oz-Gracie Encinia,&nbsp;Assault Domestiv-Alexander Mousseaux,&nbsp;(F) poss of a firearm, Theft, Poss cont&nbsp;sub, Child abuse, Poss drug para-Dylan Jacobs,&nbsp;Terroristic Threats, False Reporting,-Lance Osteen,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2-Megan Osteen,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2-Krista Hernandez,&nbsp;Drug Under Suspension-Miguel Edgardo,&nbsp;1st Degree Criminal Trespass, Criminal mischief-Nathaniel Hernandez,&nbsp;Fugitive from justice-Angelina Palomo,&nbsp;Disturbing the peace, Assault 3rd degree-Kim Ervick,&nbsp;DUI, Obstructing, Resisting arrest, DUS-Madison Nowlin-Lee,&nbsp;Burglary, Theft a motor vehicle, Theft&nbsp;by receiving, Obstructing, Resisting&nbsp;arrest, Poss drug para-Steven Montgomery,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting arrest,&nbsp;Obstructing, Child abuse-Eric Schott,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Obstructing, Poss of&nbsp;marijuana, DUS, Traffic X2-Kobe Moreno,&nbsp;Theft, Burlgary, Obstructing, Theft by&nbsp;receiving, Poss drug para-Robert Oakley William,&nbsp;(F) poss of a firearm, Disturbing the peaceDawes Co:-Dustin R Shields, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance-Michael Little Moon, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury-Kimberly Martin, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-services $0-500-Mona Little Moon, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound, No proof of insurance, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500-Tre'c Martin, Class 4 Felony, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500/3rd/subs, Theft-shoplifting $0-500/3rd/subs-Dewey McMann, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500-Casey Henderson, Class 3A Felony, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/Sub-Brenton Daniel, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before reinstated by state, Operate or park unregistered vehicle-Derek E Howard, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance-Tamara D Perkins, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance-

Panhandle police activity, Feb. 9 - Feb. 22

Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the Nebraska Board of Geologists. (Photo by Sidney Hines/Chadron State College)

CHADRON – Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebog.nebraska.gov/mission" target="_blank">Nebraska Board of Geologists</a>.

He was nominated by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jim Powell and Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul D. Turman. His nomination was approved through the Lieutenant Governor’s office after a review of his credentials. His term began in January and will end in February 2028.

“I have spent my career straddling the wonders of my discipline and working as an administrator in higher education. I am happy to be able to represent our experiences to the state,” he said.

Morgan said as a representative for academics, he will work to ensure that CSC’s curriculum in geosciences aligns with the expectations of the board.

“My hope is to work as a liaison to ensure our issues are represented well and ensure more collaboration between the private and public sectors,” Morgan said.

Morgan hopes to eventually host geology-related events at CSC.

“I would love to have the board visit the pretty side of the state and see what we have to offer from an educational and natural beauty perspective,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709053813522.jpeg" alt="Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the Nebraska Board of Geologists. (Photo by Sidney Hines/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the Nebraska Board of Geologists. (Photo by Sidney Hines/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the Nebraska Board of Geologists. (Photo by Sidney Hines/Chadron State College)CHADRON – Dr. Ryan Morgan, Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences has been named to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebog.nebraska.gov/mission" target="_blank">Nebraska Board of Geologists</a>.He was nominated by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jim Powell and Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul D. Turman. His nomination was approved through the Lieutenant Governor’s office after a review of his credentials. His term began in January and will end in February 2028.“I have spent my career straddling the wonders of my discipline and working as an administrator in higher education. I am happy to be able to represent our experiences to the state,” he said.Morgan said as a representative for academics, he will work to ensure that CSC’s curriculum in geosciences aligns with the expectations of the board.“My hope is to work as a liaison to ensure our issues are represented well and ensure more collaboration between the private and public sectors,” Morgan said.Morgan hopes to eventually host geology-related events at CSC.“I would love to have the board visit the pretty side of the state and see what we have to offer from an educational and natural beauty perspective,” he said.

 Dr. Morgan of CSC appointed to Nebraska Board of Geologists

ALLIANCE – The Alliance Rec Center (ARC) was the recipient of a $20,000 grant courtesy of WESTCO and the CHS Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program. The funds will support the ARC’s Make More Possible Campaign 2024.

The campaign aims to raise funds for upgrades to the gymnasium. The project has been split into two phases and includes the installation of a rooftop HVAC unit and resurfacing of the gymnasium floor. Prior to the donation, the campaign had raised over $85,000 towards its $160,000 goal.

WESTCO President and CEO David Briggs said, “Several WESTCO employees are members and volunteers at the ARC and we are very happy to present this grant to them. The ARC plays a vital role in the overall health of Alliance, and provides the community with many key services.

WESTCO would also like to thank CHS and the Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program. By combining our resources, we are providing double the impact to our area and demonstrating the cooperative spirit.”

The CHS Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program is an initiative aimed at supporting rural communities and organizations across the nation. Through strategic partnerships and targeted grants, the program seeks to foster sustainable practices, improve safety, and promote social well-being.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709055511892.jpeg" alt="WESTCO President and CEO David Briggs presents Alliance Rec Center Director Revè Fries with a $20,000 donation for the ARC’s 2024 Make More Possible Campaign on behalf of WESTCO and CHS. Pictured, l-r, are WESTCO Petroleum Division Manager Jess Wimmer, Emily Stein, ARC Board Member Sean Ridgeway, Fries, ARC Board Member Jeff Stevens, Briggs, ARC Board Member and New Alliance Merchandiser Jon Sperl, ARC Board Member and WESTCO HR Manager Chelsie Herian, ARC Board Member Tina Lulow, WESTCO CFO Josh Foster, and ARC Board Member Tanner Blomenkamp." />
 <figcaption>WESTCO President and CEO David Briggs presents Alliance Rec Center Director Revè Fries with a $20,000 donation for the ARC’s 2024 Make More Possible Campaign on behalf of WESTCO and CHS. Pictured, l-r, are WESTCO Petroleum Division Manager Jess Wimmer, Emily Stein, ARC Board Member Sean Ridgeway, Fries, ARC Board Member Jeff Stevens, Briggs, ARC Board Member and New Alliance Merchandiser Jon Sperl, ARC Board Member and WESTCO HR Manager Chelsie Herian, ARC Board Member Tina Lulow, WESTCO CFO Josh Foster, and ARC Board Member Tanner Blomenkamp.</figcaption>
 </figure>Press Release by WESTCOALLIANCE – The Alliance Rec Center (ARC) was the recipient of a $20,000 grant courtesy of WESTCO and the CHS Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program. The funds will support the ARC’s Make More Possible Campaign 2024.The campaign aims to raise funds for upgrades to the gymnasium. The project has been split into two phases and includes the installation of a rooftop HVAC unit and resurfacing of the gymnasium floor. Prior to the donation, the campaign had raised over $85,000 towards its $160,000 goal.WESTCO President and CEO David Briggs said, “Several WESTCO employees are members and volunteers at the ARC and we are very happy to present this grant to them. The ARC plays a vital role in the overall health of Alliance, and provides the community with many key services.WESTCO would also like to thank CHS and the Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program. By combining our resources, we are providing double the impact to our area and demonstrating the cooperative spirit.”The CHS Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program is an initiative aimed at supporting rural communities and organizations across the nation. Through strategic partnerships and targeted grants, the program seeks to foster sustainable practices, improve safety, and promote social well-being.

ARC Receives $20K Grant from WESTCO and CHS

KCOW At 75: Strike Up The Band!

Alliance, NE – The APL is having the “Luck of the Irish” contest starting Friday, March 1st through Saturday, March 30th. Patrons 21 and older can check out ANY Adult item from the APL, fill out an entry form and enter to win a $300 gift certificate for use at the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Snitches restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota. The winner will be drawn and announced on Facebook on Monday, April 1st. This contest is sponsored by the APL Foundation.

Monday Night Mystery book club will meet on Monday, March 11th from 5:30 to 6:30pm in the APL Community Room. We will be discussing The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Art A La Carte: Craft club will meet on Friday, March 15th at 5pm in the APL Community room.

The Crime after Crime: True Crime book club will meet Thursday, March 21st at 5:30pm in the APL community room. This discussion will be on Starkweather by Harry MacLean. The APL book club will meet on Tuesday, March 26th at 1pm in the APL Community room. We will discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

All book club books are available for checkout at the circulation desk for a $2 postage fee. For more information, call 308.762.1387 or email nstewart@cityofalliance.net.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – The APL is having the “Luck of the Irish” contest starting Friday, March 1st through Saturday, March 30th. Patrons 21 and older can check out ANY Adult item from the APL, fill out an entry form and enter to win a $300 gift certificate for use at the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Snitches restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota. The winner will be drawn and announced on Facebook on Monday, April 1st. This contest is sponsored by the APL Foundation.Monday Night Mystery book club will meet on Monday, March 11th from 5:30 to 6:30pm in the APL Community Room. We will be discussing The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Art A La Carte: Craft club will meet on Friday, March 15th at 5pm in the APL Community room.The Crime after Crime: True Crime book club will meet Thursday, March 21st at 5:30pm in the APL community room. This discussion will be on Starkweather by Harry MacLean. The APL book club will meet on Tuesday, March 26th at 1pm in the APL Community room. We will discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.All book club books are available for checkout at the circulation desk for a $2 postage fee. For more information, call 308.762.1387 or email nstewart@cityofalliance.net.

March Adult Event schedule at the Alliance Public Library announced

NORTH PLATTE - Fire crews are still battling the grass fire that began yesterday around 10:30am on Betty Way, just northeast of North Platte. With the region being in a red flag warning and windy conditions up to 40 mph, the fire quickly spread out east forcing evacuations along the way.

According to officials with Region 51 Management,&nbsp;The Betty's Way Fire is still ongoing. Crews are on the ground. For your safety, and the safety of the crews fighting this, we ask that you continue to avoid the area.

Multiple agencies from around the state have responded to help battle the blaze. The POST has confirmed that one home north of Maxwell was lost in the fire.&nbsp;

Lincoln County and Custer County officials declared emergencies and requested state assistance last night due to the grass fire. According to a release from Nebraska Emergency Management Agency,&nbsp;Two National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed to the fire and will begin dropping water on the fire today.&nbsp;

Multiple fires broke out in the region yesterday as one between Grant and Imperial was put out around noon. Later in the day, another grass fire broke out near Stapleton and forced evacuations as the fire spread.&nbsp;

This is a developing story and will update when more information becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708972720101.jpeg" alt="Grass fire northeast of North Platte. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Grass fire northeast of North Platte. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte PostNORTH PLATTE - Fire crews are still battling the grass fire that began yesterday around 10:30am on Betty Way, just northeast of North Platte. With the region being in a red flag warning and windy conditions up to 40 mph, the fire quickly spread out east forcing evacuations along the way.According to officials with Region 51 Management,&nbsp;The Betty's Way Fire is still ongoing. Crews are on the ground. For your safety, and the safety of the crews fighting this, we ask that you continue to avoid the area.Multiple agencies from around the state have responded to help battle the blaze. The POST has confirmed that one home north of Maxwell was lost in the fire.&nbsp;Lincoln County and Custer County officials declared emergencies and requested state assistance last night due to the grass fire. According to a release from Nebraska Emergency Management Agency,&nbsp;Two National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed to the fire and will begin dropping water on the fire today.&nbsp;Multiple fires broke out in the region yesterday as one between Grant and Imperial was put out around noon. Later in the day, another grass fire broke out near Stapleton and forced evacuations as the fire spread.&nbsp;This is a developing story and will update when more information becomes available.

Officials say crews are still battling the Betty Way fire that began yesterday morning

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Florida Man Shenanigans

By TENA L. COOK, MARKETING COORDINATOR Chadron State College

CHADRON – Chadron State College has initiated a student laptop checkout program to help meet students’ technology needs.

Chief Information Officer Ann Burk said CSC President Ron K. Patterson initiated the project.

Patterson said the administration recognized the importance of accessibility and affordability for CSC students.

“We wanted to minimize one of the barriers to attaining a degree.&nbsp;Recognizing that not all students have access to technology, we developed a laptop checkout program to offer students to support their educational journey towards earning their degrees,” he said.

Burk said funding for the laptop initiative was provided by the computer replacement plan managed by the IT Department and the Chadron State Foundation through the Eagles Rise fund.

Chadron State Foundation CEO Ben Watson said funds the Foundation provided came from the Eagles Rise Student Relief Fund a vital initiative established in 2020 in response to meeting unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.

“The fund remains a steadfast source of support for Chadron State students, offering assistance in moments of need and ensuring that their educational journey is not hindered by unforeseen challenges,” Watson said.

The program, available to local students, includes 12 laptops with cases and power cords.

Director of IT Client Services Kayla Junge said part of the need was for individuals who didn't qualify for the Project Strive laptop checkout program.

“Just last semester, there were two students who didn't qualify for that. I think this new program will be good for those individuals,” she said.

To be eligible to check out a laptop, students must be currently enrolled, and show their Eagle Card ID before completing the checkout form at the IT Help Desk in the King Library. Students will be required to turn in the laptop by the last day of the semester. If they need a laptop the following semester, students will repeat the checkout process.

Burk said IT asks about the general nature of the need on the checkout form.

“This is for tracking purposes so we can determine whether they're waiting for their laptop to be fixed, they don't want to use the labs on campus, or maybe they don't have a computer at home. Maybe they are an athlete and don't have a device they can use when they're traveling with the team,” Burk said.

Junge said the laptops are stored in a charging cart so laptops will always be charged when a student wants to check one out. Student workers at the IT Help Desk in the King Library will guide each student through the process which includes an information sheet with requirements to keep the laptop safe and secure and other reminders such as restarting the laptop if updates need to run.

Since items or settings saved on the laptops are temporary files, and will not be saved, much the same as lab computers, students should save all their work to a cloud service or an external device. CSC is not liable if flash drives or other devices plugged into the borrowed laptop are corrupted.

Junge said after each semester, IT will track the information and if there is a need for more laptops in the future, they will address that need.

“In the past, we haven't had a lot of requests for this. But it's a service we've never offered before. Hopefully, it will take some stress off of students if they have a computer failure or have a particular need,” Burk said.

By TENA L. COOK, MARKETING COORDINATOR Chadron State College<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709053441226.jpeg" alt="Chadron State College students Alivia Taylor, left, and Emmali Taylor, both of Beaver City, Neb., pose with a laptop by the IT Help Desk in the King Library. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Chadron State College students Alivia Taylor, left, and Emmali Taylor, both of Beaver City, Neb., pose with a laptop by the IT Help Desk in the King Library. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON – Chadron State College has initiated a student laptop checkout program to help meet students’ technology needs.Chief Information Officer Ann Burk said CSC President Ron K. Patterson initiated the project.Patterson said the administration recognized the importance of accessibility and affordability for CSC students.“We wanted to minimize one of the barriers to attaining a degree.&nbsp;Recognizing that not all students have access to technology, we developed a laptop checkout program to offer students to support their educational journey towards earning their degrees,” he said.Burk said funding for the laptop initiative was provided by the computer replacement plan managed by the IT Department and the Chadron State Foundation through the Eagles Rise fund.Chadron State Foundation CEO Ben Watson said funds the Foundation provided came from the Eagles Rise Student Relief Fund a vital initiative established in 2020 in response to meeting unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.“The fund remains a steadfast source of support for Chadron State students, offering assistance in moments of need and ensuring that their educational journey is not hindered by unforeseen challenges,” Watson said.The program, available to local students, includes 12 laptops with cases and power cords.Director of IT Client Services Kayla Junge said part of the need was for individuals who didn't qualify for the Project Strive laptop checkout program.“Just last semester, there were two students who didn't qualify for that. I think this new program will be good for those individuals,” she said.To be eligible to check out a laptop, students must be currently enrolled, and show their Eagle Card ID before completing the checkout form at the IT Help Desk in the King Library. Students will be required to turn in the laptop by the last day of the semester. If they need a laptop the following semester, students will repeat the checkout process.Burk said IT asks about the general nature of the need on the checkout form.“This is for tracking purposes so we can determine whether they're waiting for their laptop to be fixed, they don't want to use the labs on campus, or maybe they don't have a computer at home. Maybe they are an athlete and don't have a device they can use when they're traveling with the team,” Burk said.Junge said the laptops are stored in a charging cart so laptops will always be charged when a student wants to check one out. Student workers at the IT Help Desk in the King Library will guide each student through the process which includes an information sheet with requirements to keep the laptop safe and secure and other reminders such as restarting the laptop if updates need to run.Since items or settings saved on the laptops are temporary files, and will not be saved, much the same as lab computers, students should save all their work to a cloud service or an external device. CSC is not liable if flash drives or other devices plugged into the borrowed laptop are corrupted.Junge said after each semester, IT will track the information and if there is a need for more laptops in the future, they will address that need.“In the past, we haven't had a lot of requests for this. But it's a service we've never offered before. Hopefully, it will take some stress off of students if they have a computer failure or have a particular need,” Burk said.

 CSC starts Laptop checkout program for students

Alliance Senior Jonah Amill signed his letter of intent to compete in Track and Field at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln on Monday in front of his parents, teammates and coaches. Here is the Post Podcast with Jonah and his track coach Nate Lanik.

Alliance Senior Jonah Amill signed his letter of intent to compete in Track and Field at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln on Monday in front of his parents, teammates and coaches. Here is the Post Podcast with Jonah and his track coach Nate Lanik.<div><iframe title="Jonah Amill, Coach Lanik talk signing to Nebraska Wesleyan" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ex9xj-15948d6-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709051456523.jpeg" alt="Jonah Amill pictured at Alliance High School" />
 <figcaption>Jonah Amill pictured at Alliance High School</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709051752143.jpeg" alt="Jonah Pictured with his mom Mary and dad Tony" />
 <figcaption>Jonah Pictured with his mom Mary and dad Tony</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709051786080.jpeg" alt="Jonah with his parents and coaches" />
 <figcaption>Jonah with his parents and coaches</figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709051833624.jpeg" alt="Jonah with his teammates" />
 <figcaption>Jonah with his teammates</figcaption>
 </figure>

POST PODCAST: Alliance's Jonah Amill talks signing with Nebraska Wesleyan

Press Release by Nebraska Emergency Management

Local officials in Custer and Lincoln counties have declared emergencies and requested state assistance on Monday night due to a large wildfire affecting the area, closing several roads, requiring multiple evacuations and requiring the response of multiple volunteer fire departments from around the region.

The North Platte/Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center was activated immediately and has been monitoring the situation and coordinating resources since the fire started. The fire, which originated north of North Platte, from an unknown cause, is burning on private lands in Lincoln and Custer counties. Governor Jim Pillen approved a state disaster which allows funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used to assist in the response. 

At the request of county officials, Nebraska’s Incident Management Team, as well as members of the state’s Wildland Incident Response Assistant Team, have been deployed and will assist local responders in the coming days. Two National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed to the fire and begin.

Operations to drop water on the fire beginning today. Additional aircraft will be used to map the fire to assist teams as they plan the best strategy to fight the fire.

Press Release by Nebraska Emergency ManagementLocal officials in Custer and Lincoln counties have declared emergencies and requested state assistance on Monday night due to a large wildfire affecting the area, closing several roads, requiring multiple evacuations and requiring the response of multiple volunteer fire departments from around the region.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709004741343.jpeg" alt="Fire north of Brady (Courtesty of Ryan Boden)" />
 <figcaption>Fire north of Brady (Courtesty of Ryan Boden)</figcaption>
 </figure>The North Platte/Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center was activated immediately and has been monitoring the situation and coordinating resources since the fire started. The fire, which originated north of North Platte, from an unknown cause, is burning on private lands in Lincoln and Custer counties. Governor Jim Pillen approved a state disaster which allows funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used to assist in the response. At the request of county officials, Nebraska’s Incident Management Team, as well as members of the state’s Wildland Incident Response Assistant Team, have been deployed and will assist local responders in the coming days. Two National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed to the fire and begin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709004799692.jpeg" alt="Fire north of Brady (Courtesy of Ryan Boden) 2" />
 <figcaption>Fire north of Brady (Courtesy of Ryan Boden) 2</figcaption>
 </figure>Operations to drop water on the fire beginning today. Additional aircraft will be used to map the fire to assist teams as they plan the best strategy to fight the fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709004883064.jpeg" alt="Second Fire that started west of Stapleton, Picture from Stapleton School looking north around 4pm Monday (Courtesty of Lacie Benell)" />
 <figcaption>Second Fire that started west of Stapleton, Picture from Stapleton School looking north around 4pm Monday (Courtesty of Lacie Benell)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Gov. Pillen issues state disaster as wildfire in Central Nebraska continues

This is the Post Podcast, I'm Kalin Krohe. Today we spoke with Pat from Upper Niobrara White NRD about the partnerships they have with many agencies.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: Upper Niobrara White NRD talks about partnerships with agencies" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=kvu8p-1594864-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>This is the Post Podcast, I'm Kalin Krohe. Today we spoke with Pat from Upper Niobrara White NRD about the partnerships they have with many agencies.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709050464336.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
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POST PODCAST: Upper Niobrara White NRD talks about partnerships 

The North Platte Area had several serious Fires that required assistance from Panhandle communities as far away as Bridgeport Fire along with Bayard, Gering, Alliance, Gordon, Chadron and Crawford. Coverage from our sister stations and North Platte Post below.

Up To Date Story on Fires available on Post Facebook (below)

FIRE ALONG THE DAM OF LAKE MALONEY MOVING EAST- PREPARE TO EVACUATE (Per North Platte Police Department) (Contained shortly after reported)

Mutual Aid for North Platte Area Fires came from communities as far away as Bridgeport Fire along with Bayard, Gering, Alliance, Gordon, Chadron and Crawford

IF you're in need of shelter due to evacuations, these places are helping out.&nbsp;

The Salvation Army at 1020 N Adams in North Platte is open for those impacted by the grass fire evacuation.

LINCOLN COUNTY - The grass fire that was started northeast of North Platte sometime after 10:30am Monday morning, is quickly spreading to the east.&nbsp;

According to the North Platte Police Department,&nbsp;All residents north of Brady and Gothenburg are ordered to evacuate due to large grass fire. Roads are now being closed in the area due to the fire and crews can battle the blaze. According to officials, N Maxwell Rd, N Brady Rd, and Hwy 47 are closed from Hwy 30 North. Please avoid the area at this time.

This is a developing story and will update when information becomes available.

NORTH PLATTE - Crews are battling a large grass fire just northeast of North Platte and the North Platte Police Department says residents between Rolling Hills Rd and N Maxwell Rd need to evacuate due to the fire.&nbsp;

Mutual aid was requested by the North Platte Fire Department and surrounding communities have responded to the call. NPPD says the Salvation Army in North Platte is open to those impacted by the fire.&nbsp;

NPPD has requested that residents north of Brady to turn on their center pivots to help battle the grass fire as it heads east.

According to the National Weather Service, Lincoln County and much of Nebraska is in a red flag warning and will remain in effect until 6:00pm CT tonight. Winds can reach up to 15-25 mph with gust up to 45 mph.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708972720101.jpeg" alt="Smoke from the grass fire northeast of North Platte can be seen from the North Platte Airport. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Smoke from the grass fire northeast of North Platte can be seen from the North Platte Airport. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>The North Platte Area had several serious Fires that required assistance from Panhandle communities as far away as Bridgeport Fire along with Bayard, Gering, Alliance, Gordon, Chadron and Crawford. Coverage from our sister stations and North Platte Post below.Up To Date Story on Fires available on Post Facebook (below)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnorthplattepost%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0egVrbATUihZ8rdb9JcTGeaeP1gH1HDksHC7exVdX8DUKw1EHYs52HNVgTznhWjfcl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="715" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Updated Story 6:15pmFIRE ALONG THE DAM OF LAKE MALONEY MOVING EAST- PREPARE TO EVACUATE (Per North Platte Police Department) (Contained shortly after reported)Updated Story 5:46pm CSTMutual Aid for North Platte Area Fires came from communities as far away as Bridgeport Fire along with Bayard, Gering, Alliance, Gordon, Chadron and Crawford<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708989120725.png" alt="Nebraska State Patrol X Fire 2-26-24" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Patrol X Fire 2-26-24</figcaption>
 </figure>IF you're in need of shelter due to evacuations, these places are helping out.&nbsp;The Salvation Army at 1020 N Adams in North Platte is open for those impacted by the grass fire evacuation.The Brady Community Center Camp Comeca south of Cozad________________________________LINCOLN COUNTY - The grass fire that was started northeast of North Platte sometime after 10:30am Monday morning, is quickly spreading to the east.&nbsp;According to the North Platte Police Department,&nbsp;All residents north of Brady and Gothenburg are ordered to evacuate due to large grass fire. Roads are now being closed in the area due to the fire and crews can battle the blaze. According to officials, N Maxwell Rd, N Brady Rd, and Hwy 47 are closed from Hwy 30 North. Please avoid the area at this time.This is a developing story and will update when information becomes available.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708981672439.jpeg" alt="Grass fire northeast of North Platte moving to the east. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)" />
 <figcaption>Grass fire northeast of North Platte moving to the east. (Photo taken from Canon Rath/North Platte Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>----Original StoryNORTH PLATTE - Crews are battling a large grass fire just northeast of North Platte and the North Platte Police Department says residents between Rolling Hills Rd and N Maxwell Rd need to evacuate due to the fire.&nbsp;Mutual aid was requested by the North Platte Fire Department and surrounding communities have responded to the call. NPPD says the Salvation Army in North Platte is open to those impacted by the fire.&nbsp;NPPD has requested that residents north of Brady to turn on their center pivots to help battle the grass fire as it heads east.According to the National Weather Service, Lincoln County and much of Nebraska is in a red flag warning and will remain in effect until 6:00pm CT tonight. Winds can reach up to 15-25 mph with gust up to 45 mph.This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.&nbsp;

Alliance and other Panhandle Fire Departments assist in Monday fires in North Platte

Press release by Carnegie Arts Center

<a>Announcing the award winners of the 2024 Box Butte Art Society Spring Show at Carnegie Arts Center! Best of Show went to Joy Price for her piece “Sheep.” Certificates of Excellence went to Joy Price for “Rubidoux Trading Post” and Sam Boone for her piece “Desert Sunset.”&nbsp; Honorable mentions went to Audrey Powles for “Patty’s Legacy”, Linda Lacy for “La Casta,” and Becky McDonald for the “Sound of Silence.”&nbsp; The Youth Certificate of Excellence went to Ayvrie Waldron for “Eternal Enigma.” We want to congratulate all that entered this year’s exhibit. Many of our members have not been practicing artists their entire lives but have found great joy in the process of creating. We are so pleased to be able to come together to celebrate our passion for art through the Art Society. Box Butte Art Society members that are also Association of Nebraska Art Club members will have their pieces taken to the state show to compete amongst thousands of artists, only a handful of which will be selected for the traveling statewide show.&nbsp; The show was judged by Kathy Brock, art educator of Alliance High School. Our judges are selected based on their advanced experience and knowledge of the arts. Mrs. Brock has years of experience educating young minds about numerous media forms as well as the technical skills, principles, and fundamentals that go into art production.&nbsp; We greatly appreciate the time and thought she put into accessing all the art pieces.</a>

None of what we do would be possible without the support of generous community members and businesses! Thank you to our&nbsp;February business sponsors Seasons of Hope Counseling, Edward Jones-Dalsey Lambley Financial Advisor, and Girard Well Service.&nbsp;We also want to thank our generous grantors who provide operational funding, the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Last but certainly not least, we want to thank our grantors that make free and reduced cost art classes available through educational grant support. Thank you, DF Dillon Foundation, Snow Redfern Foundation, Mission Store, CA Story Foundation, Kimmel Foundation, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: Carnegie Arts Center" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=kiujn-1592a75-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Press release by Carnegie Arts Center<a>Announcing the award winners of the 2024 Box Butte Art Society Spring Show at Carnegie Arts Center! Best of Show went to Joy Price for her piece “Sheep.” Certificates of Excellence went to Joy Price for “Rubidoux Trading Post” and Sam Boone for her piece “Desert Sunset.”&nbsp; Honorable mentions went to Audrey Powles for “Patty’s Legacy”, Linda Lacy for “La Casta,” and Becky McDonald for the “Sound of Silence.”&nbsp; The Youth Certificate of Excellence went to Ayvrie Waldron for “Eternal Enigma.” We want to congratulate all that entered this year’s exhibit. Many of our members have not been practicing artists their entire lives but have found great joy in the process of creating. We are so pleased to be able to come together to celebrate our passion for art through the Art Society. Box Butte Art Society members that are also Association of Nebraska Art Club members will have their pieces taken to the state show to compete amongst thousands of artists, only a handful of which will be selected for the traveling statewide show.&nbsp; The show was judged by Kathy Brock, art educator of Alliance High School. Our judges are selected based on their advanced experience and knowledge of the arts. Mrs. Brock has years of experience educating young minds about numerous media forms as well as the technical skills, principles, and fundamentals that go into art production.&nbsp; We greatly appreciate the time and thought she put into accessing all the art pieces.</a>None of what we do would be possible without the support of generous community members and businesses! Thank you to our&nbsp;February business sponsors Seasons of Hope Counseling, Edward Jones-Dalsey Lambley Financial Advisor, and Girard Well Service.&nbsp;We also want to thank our generous grantors who provide operational funding, the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Last but certainly not least, we want to thank our grantors that make free and reduced cost art classes available through educational grant support. Thank you, DF Dillon Foundation, Snow Redfern Foundation, Mission Store, CA Story Foundation, Kimmel Foundation, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

POST PODCAST:  Carnegie Arts Center showcases award winners, gallery

Petition below made by Elyse Draper, Josie Brown and&nbsp;Ashley Valdovinos

We would like to add soccer to our Alliance Middle School and High School&nbsp; sports program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i7ozKhkkgzoSAX--nu1XzHwERxJABKx4vLv7rEvj6EQ/edit?ts=65d93b76" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i7ozKhkkgzoSAX--nu1XzHwERxJABKx4vLv7rEvj6EQ/edit?ts=65d93b76</a>

Elyse Draper: (308)763-8731&nbsp; Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Elysedraper2021@gmail.com">Elysedraper2021@gmail.com</a>

Josie Brown: (308)763-8771&nbsp; Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Josie.Brown@alliancebulldogs.org">Josie.Brown@alliancebulldogs.org</a>

Ashley Valdovinos: (308) 760-8760&nbsp; Email:<a href="mailto:Ashley.Valdovinos@alliancebulldogs.org">Ashley.Valdovinos@alliancebulldogs.org</a>

Petition below made by Elyse Draper, Josie Brown and&nbsp;Ashley ValdovinosWe would like to add soccer to our Alliance Middle School and High School&nbsp; sports program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>If you are entering grades 7-12 next year and are interested in playing soccer please sign the petition or let us know.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>If you would be interested in volunteering for the soccer program or helping to make this happen please call, text or email us!</li>
 </ul><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i7ozKhkkgzoSAX--nu1XzHwERxJABKx4vLv7rEvj6EQ/edit?ts=65d93b76" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i7ozKhkkgzoSAX--nu1XzHwERxJABKx4vLv7rEvj6EQ/edit?ts=65d93b76</a>Elyse Draper: (308)763-8731&nbsp; Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Elysedraper2021@gmail.com">Elysedraper2021@gmail.com</a>Josie Brown: (308)763-8771&nbsp; Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Josie.Brown@alliancebulldogs.org">Josie.Brown@alliancebulldogs.org</a>Ashley Valdovinos: (308) 760-8760&nbsp; Email:<a href="mailto:Ashley.Valdovinos@alliancebulldogs.org">Ashley.Valdovinos@alliancebulldogs.org</a>

Petition made to add soccer to Alliance Middle and High Schools

By JOHN E. WEARE Keep Alliance Beautiful

Hundreds came to their feet to applaud Bill Toone, the sound pale in comparison to what the conservation biologist related the past hour during “Roar of the Monarch Butterfly.”

Just before gathering a backpack and carry on for the airport, I caught Toone’s message as my last session at the Keep America Beautiful 2024 National Conference in San Diego earlier this month. There is head knowledge of prominent threatened and endangered species then there is the moment when you see the plight through another person’s eyes. Toone connected with a diverse audience through humor, personal experience and facts related to, perhaps, the world’s most famous winged insect. The rest of the presentation’s title put the ball in our court with a call to action: The Sound of a Billion Butterflies is Fading, But You Can Help!

A thirty-four-year time frame, based on Toone’s first date with his wife Sunny when they tagged Monarchs, illustrated changes as the couple has traveled to Mexico to see the butterflies and lead tours every season since. Back then I was about the same age my daughter is now. Monarchs were common enough in Northwest Nebraska. I remember learning the distinguishing characteristics to avoid confusing similar-sized orange butterflies. A few hours before sunrise on an early autumn day, my only Monarch sighting of 2023 came on a Pine Ridge hiking trail. I could only admire the extreme traveler as he flitted away. En route to reach an overlook, my camera was zipped in the pack.

Facts stored in the back of my mind about Monarchs pinged as Toone outlined their lifecycle. He noted the species has been introduced throughout the world. Caterpillars grow from 2,000 to 3,000 times their original weight, storing cardiac glycosides that are passed on in the chrysalis “so the butterfly is poisonous to predators,” he said. People who find one of the plump striped caterpillars in the final (wandering) stage should not put it back on a plant as the goal is to find a safe spot to form its chrysalis. To illustrate the complete transformation, Toone observed that even opening the changing chamber right away would reveal something that looks like green soup. Butterflies that emerge in Canada, the Methuselah generation, migrate all the way to Mexico. Monarchs take four generations a year to return.

By JOHN E. WEARE Keep Alliance BeautifulHundreds came to their feet to applaud Bill Toone, the sound pale in comparison to what the conservation biologist related the past hour during “Roar of the Monarch Butterfly.”Just before gathering a backpack and carry on for the airport, I caught Toone’s message as my last session at the Keep America Beautiful 2024 National Conference in San Diego earlier this month. There is head knowledge of prominent threatened and endangered species then there is the moment when you see the plight through another person’s eyes. Toone connected with a diverse audience through humor, personal experience and facts related to, perhaps, the world’s most famous winged insect. The rest of the presentation’s title put the ball in our court with a call to action: The Sound of a Billion Butterflies is Fading, But You Can Help!A thirty-four-year time frame, based on Toone’s first date with his wife Sunny when they tagged Monarchs, illustrated changes as the couple has traveled to Mexico to see the butterflies and lead tours every season since. Back then I was about the same age my daughter is now. Monarchs were common enough in Northwest Nebraska. I remember learning the distinguishing characteristics to avoid confusing similar-sized orange butterflies. A few hours before sunrise on an early autumn day, my only Monarch sighting of 2023 came on a Pine Ridge hiking trail. I could only admire the extreme traveler as he flitted away. En route to reach an overlook, my camera was zipped in the pack.Facts stored in the back of my mind about Monarchs pinged as Toone outlined their lifecycle. He noted the species has been introduced throughout the world. Caterpillars grow from 2,000 to 3,000 times their original weight, storing cardiac glycosides that are passed on in the chrysalis “so the butterfly is poisonous to predators,” he said. People who find one of the plump striped caterpillars in the final (wandering) stage should not put it back on a plant as the goal is to find a safe spot to form its chrysalis. To illustrate the complete transformation, Toone observed that even opening the changing chamber right away would reveal something that looks like green soup. Butterflies that emerge in Canada, the Methuselah generation, migrate all the way to Mexico. Monarchs take four generations a year to return.Choose a discipline to study, cause to rally around or even a serious hobby and there are people who came before that were instrumental in its development. For the uninitiated, Toone told the story of Fred and Norah Urquhart. Fred was a little kid in southern Canada and fell in love with Monarchs, he said. Fred would go on to earn a PhD. in Entomology. He enlisted volunteers ranging from hippies to service clubs in California to tag the butterflies for tracking. “Fred and Norah tracked them all over the United States and lost them at the U.S./Mexico border,” Toone said. “Norah did a radio show and got a story published in Mexico City asking for help to find them.” During two years spent trying to find the tagged butterflies, Fred and Norah talked to some of the indigenous people discovering 978 tons of Monarchs in their part of the forest. Fred turned to them and asked why they didn’t tell anybody, Toone related. They answered, “Doesn’t this happen everywhere?” Fred sat down and out of 1 billion Monarchs picked up one with his tags.Toone left last week for Mexico where there are now 10 percent of the Monarchs found three decades ago. The butterflies have a symbiotic relationship with the specific species of birch they land on. “You can stand and feel, hear the roar of Monarch wings as they warm up the trees. The roar we heard 34 years ago is a whisper today. People in this room can change that,” he emphasized.Founding ECOLIFE Conservation, Toone showed how providing woodburning stoves has helped counter Monarch habitat loss. Residents no longer have to breathe smoke for three-stone cooking fires and require less fuel than the up to 40 trees they had been cutting down. Just completing their 15,000th stove, ECOLIFE has saved a million trees.Loss of habitat has also reached critical levels in America, Toone said as he showed pictures of urban and agriculture settings, adding “Now we even spray weeds along roadsides.” He encouraged the audience to plant milkweed to sustain and attract monarchs. Even though Toone said it is best to plant varieties native to the area, he admitted tropical milkweed is here to stay. Tropical has more toxicity, which the butterflies crave and will find up to three miles away. “Plant a couple tropicals to really attract them, they’ll stay for native milkweed,” he said.More than enough time to order milkweed seeds to plant here before spring. Within a few years our “Oasis in the Sandhills” could quench the thirst of a kaleidoscope of Monarchs.